Posted By: Anita Mui
Posted Date: Nov 18, 2009 (12:26 AM)
Dear Chet
That head is a reproduction, may be a cast terracotta and then carved, not sandstone.
The carver did it without any knowledge of Cambodia art and the world. I have never seen Hindu deity has "unalom" oh his/her hair bun.
The squiggle or unalom MUST mark the forehead above the eyebrows, according to ancient texts written in Pali (a dead language) describe 32 physical characteristics of a great man. One of those is a wisp of hair between the eyebrows. The Guatama Buddha was said to have all the other 31 characteristics as well.
It should also be noted that other sources relate the mark on Buddha's forehead to the "third eye" or a "chakra" which is located there. That spot is also where Hindus place a "bindu" or mark of vermillion during worship practices.
Unalom have never been in the hair bun above the fore head because it does not match with historical fact as well as art of Cambodia.
Sad but true.
Have fun
Anita
